Neil Forester Re-elected Board Chairperson of WEAVE

Neil Forester to serve a second year as Chairperson of WEAVE’s Board of Directors

Earlier this month, FPS managing shareholder Neil Forester was re-elected by the Board of Directors of WEAVE to serve a second year as the agency’s President. WEAVE has been Sacramento County’s sole Rape Crisis Center since 1988 and will celebrate its 40th birthday next year.

Through recent high profile events, the number of survivors coming forward has reached unprecedented numbers and led to many others feeling safe to say #metoo. These ever-increasing number of stories reflect a turning point and opportunity to change the conversation about sexual assault. WEAVE has wasted no time in seizing the opportunity to strengthen support for survivors, while also driving harder action to hold perpetrators accountable. On December 14th, WEAVE announced a partnership with the California State Senate to support survivors of sexual violence. WEAVE will provide a Confidential Advocate accessible to Senators, Senate staffers, and Senate interns through a confidential telephone number, confidential email, and appointments at a nearby office. The Confidential Advocate will offer emotional support, reporting options, and internal and external resources to Senate staffers who have experienced sexual misconduct.

Neil joined the Board of Directors in 2011, having been involved with the agency since 2006 when he began volunteering with the Facilities Committee, tasked with building a new safehouse. In his current role, Neil provides leadership to the 20-member board, with responsibility to inform WEAVE’s strategic decisions, ensure financial responsibility and accountability, and to lead the organization in realizing its mission.

Neil will continue to provide hands-on leadership to the agency’s comprehensive legal services program, as well. In 2014 he received a “Hero of Human Services Award,” in large part for his role in helping to launch WEAVE Legal.

An advocate of pro bono service, Neil feels he has a duty to serve his community:

“There is a real hesitance in the family law community with domestic violence issues, because they don’t just present as potential danger or risks to the client, but also to the attorneys that represent those clients. I often see colleagues out there that just will not take domestic violence cases, which is really tragic, and I think needs to be rethought – because our job as counselors is to help clients, and these survivors are most in need of our help.”

Established in 1978, WEAVE provides crisis intervention services to women, men and children in Sacramento County who have experienced domestic violence or have been sexually assaulted or sex trafficked. Attorneys and community advocates can help the agency in myriad ways, including through participation in the annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes fundraiser. FPS attorneys and staff will once again field and support a team of walkers on May 20th at the new Crocker Park location. The firm will also sponsor the 40th Anniversary Disco Party, a gala fundraiser scheduled for October 20th. Learn more about at www.weaveinc.org.

Neil M. E. Forester (@nmeforester) is Managing Shareholder of FORESTER PURCELL STOWELL PC, a Northern California law firm focused exclusively on specialized counsel for complex divorce and family law issues. He is recognized by the State Bar of California’s Board of Legal Specialization as a Certified Family Law Specialist. Neil regularly represents business owners, professionals, and other high net worth individuals (or their spouses) in divorce, premarital agreements, and related actions. Beyond his legal practice, Neil serves as Board Chair for WEAVE and NorCal Boxer Rescue. He can be reached at info@foresterpurcell.com or 916 293 4000. This information is general in nature and should not be construed as legal advice.

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